Day 16

Flakiness and dryness around my mouth / chin was better this morning than yesterday morning. It was still a little dry and flaky though. I think I should be using even more jojoba (I did use a lot last night though) and I need to be careful that my bed sheets aren't wiping it off as I sleep.

I was feeling pretty down about my skin this morning. I feel like I'm breaking out a bit more and I guess the dryness is really getting to me. But I was going through old photos on my computer and found a bunch of photos I'd taken of my skin about 2 or 3 months ago at least (might upload sometime) My skin has improved since then a lot! So that's encouraging and makes me feel a bit better about my skin I have a feeling this week (week 3) will be tough though...

Not much else to say for this morning... Still applying for / looking for jobs. Hope to find something soon. I've been doing a lot of it through online applications - it would probably help and go apply or hand in resumes at places in person but I just can't face doing that right now with my skin being how it is.

Edit: - My mum is still quite worried I'm doing more harm than good to my skin because my skin is so red again... it looks a bit like what I imagine it would look like after a chemical peel....

I'm looking for a new moisturiser too. I tried the neutrogena one out a few days ago but I feel like I needed to use a lot of it to make my skin feel ok. I think it will be good in a few weeks time when my skin is hopefully less flaky and dry feeling. It would probably be good now if I mixed it with some cetaphil... I'll try that next time.

I'm also looking at a brand called DermaVeen, which makes moisturisers etc for skin conditions like eczema, which I think I'll try soon. They make a moisturising SPF30 cream as well which I want to get too. I prefer to use and SPF 30 (due to me being pale naturally and the extreme sun here - plus the BP makes you extra sensitive to the sun) but majority of moisturisers seem to only have SPF15.

There's also an Australian brand called MooGoo that make specialty skin condition creams - eczema and psoriasis etc - I've used some of there things and I really like most of what I've used (except their acne cream which did nothing for me) so I'd like to try one of their moisturisers again too but they use a lot of different oils in their products, so I'll wait until I've hopefully experienced clear skin for a while before trying them out again.

I guess we can both hunt for new moisturizers now! Whatever you do, don't get Cetaphil's SPF moisturizer... if you think the Lotion burns, wait till you've tried that!

I guess we can both hunt for new moisturizers now! Whatever you do, don't get Cetaphil's SPF moisturizer... if you think the Lotion burns, wait till you've tried that!

Haha Thanks for the warning! I think the Cetaphil SPF products are new here - I noticed them for the first time when I was buying everything to start the regimen. Now I know to try other things!

Day 17

Has anyone actually experienced BP bleaching stuff? I did in the past when I used BP (mainly my towels would bleach) but this time using it, so far, I haven't noticed anything looking bleached. I've been a bit clumsy sometimes and get BP on my eyebrows but it doesn't seem to do anything (I do wipe it off soon after though) and I haven't noticed my sheets or pillow cases bleaching either....

Probably jinxed it now Tomorrow everything will start looking bleached haha (just like every time I say some part of my skin looks clear, the next day there's a new breakout to greet me ).

Anyway... dryness / flakiness is still annoying me. It's much less than a few days ago but it's still noticeable (unless I use a lot of jojoba oil but I don't want to go out looking all oily either) and it's just around my chin and a little at the sides of my mouth. The breakouts on my chin are slowly healing and so are the ones on my right cheek... but I can still feel them under the skin, so I don't know if they'll flare up again or what.

So here are a few pics so I can monitor how my skin is progressing..

I took these one at the start of week 3 (day 15)

right side - not sure why it looks redder than the rest of my face...

left side

can sort of see the breakouts on my chin here

I think I'm slowly seeing some improvement. This is still the typical breakout 'pattern' I get normally. My forehead is clear now though which is why I don't have a pic... Usually my forehead stays clear unless a new product has irritated the skin there. In the past when I've used BP, my forehead is always the first to clear up and BP keeps it clear well. I hope the same thing happens with the type of acne I get on the lower part of my face.

I think even when I hopefully get clear It'll be hard to tell that I am because I have so many red marks and pigmentation from old acne.

Oh well...

Have to keep on keeping on

Your skin is looking nice, Lily! Great progress so far. It does kinda suck that the red marks hang around longer when using BP, I have that same issue, but at least the bright side is not much new stuff comes up to create new red marks. Keep on truckin' lil lady, you're doing so good!

Your skin is looking nice, Lily! Great progress so far. It does kinda suck that the red marks hang around longer when using BP, I have that same issue, but at least the bright side is not much new stuff comes up to create new red marks. Keep on truckin' lil lady, you're doing so good!

Thanks for the encouraging words It's going slowly but surely (I hope)!

Have you been using AHA or anything for red marks?

Also, anyone know if should I wait until my skin is clearer or more under control before trying things to fade red marks? Or could I start sooner?

Your skin is looking nice, Lily! Great progress so far. It does kinda suck that the red marks hang around longer when using BP, I have that same issue, but at least the bright side is not much new stuff comes up to create new red marks. Keep on truckin' lil lady, you're doing so good!

Thanks for the encouraging words It's going slowly but surely (I hope)!

Have you been using AHA or anything for red marks?

Also, anyone know if should I wait until my skin is clearer or more under control before trying things to fade red marks? Or could I start sooner?

Yeah I do use the AHA, it does seem to fade the red marks a bit but I think it's kind of a gradual process. I actually cheated a bit with the AHA when I started the Regimen and began using it like 2 or 3 weeks in, didn't have any adverse affects...but I think everyone's skin is different and you'll never know unless you try. Maybe you can use it on just one little area of skin as a "patch test" to see if it causes you any issues this early into the Regimen...that way you'll know if it would beneficial or detrimental to introduce it this early on.

Omg, previously when I was using a large amount of BP I'd put a lot on my forehead and it would all run into my eyebrows, there's little lighter now, lol, but I can use the excuse "my hair goes fairer in the summer".

I think me and you get acne around the same areas, my forehead is clear(ish) but my cheeks and chin aren't. You're really inspiring me to keep carrying on, even when my skin looks horrible right now. Thank you

Yeah I do use the AHA, it does seem to fade the red marks a bit but I think it's kind of a gradual process. I actually cheated a bit with the AHA when I started the Regimen and began using it like 2 or 3 weeks in, didn't have any adverse affects...but I think everyone's skin is different and you'll never know unless you try. Maybe you can use it on just one little area of skin as a "patch test" to see if it causes you any issues this early into the Regimen...that way you'll know if it would beneficial or detrimental to introduce it this early on.

I don't have actual AHA so I think I'll wait a bit longer before trying the product I have... The product I bought has AHA and BHA so I'll have to be careful when I try it because it's adding in another ingredient. It could be too much but I'll try it anyway. When I was buying the other stuff to start the regimen, I sort of bought this product on impulse because it has AHA and normally retails around $50 and it was on sale for $20... bargain! It says it fades acne scarring so I'll give it a shot at some point anyway

Good to know the AHA seems to be fading things gradually for you!

Omg, previously when I was using a large amount of BP I'd put a lot on my forehead and it would all run into my eyebrows, there's little lighter now, lol, but I can use the excuse "my hair goes fairer in the summer".

I think me and you get acne around the same areas, my forehead is clear(ish) but my cheeks and chin aren't. You're really inspiring me to keep carrying on, even when my skin looks horrible right now. Thank you

Wow - that really means a lot Glad I'm encouraging someone through this log!

It's nice to have this little regimen community of people who have just started the regimen and who have had the regimen work for them already - everyone can support and help eachother - which is something I love about these forums in general (not just the regimen sections).

I'll try and be more careful with the BP near my eyebrows then (not that I'd mind lighter brows haha) I've just been finding it strange that I haven't noticed bleaching yet with the amount of BP I'm using. But I guess that's a good thing too

Yeah I do use the AHA, it does seem to fade the red marks a bit but I think it's kind of a gradual process. I actually cheated a bit with the AHA when I started the Regimen and began using it like 2 or 3 weeks in, didn't have any adverse affects...but I think everyone's skin is different and you'll never know unless you try. Maybe you can use it on just one little area of skin as a "patch test" to see if it causes you any issues this early into the Regimen...that way you'll know if it would beneficial or detrimental to introduce it this early on.

I don't have actual AHA so I think I'll wait a bit longer before trying the product I have... The product I bought has AHA and BHA so I'll have to be careful when I try it because it's adding in another ingredient. It could be too much but I'll try it anyway. When I was buying the other stuff to start the regimen, I sort of bought this product on impulse because it has AHA and normally retails around $50 and it was on sale for $20... bargain! It says it fades acne scarring so I'll give it a shot at some point anyway

Good to know the AHA seems to be fading things gradually for you!

>Omg, previously when I was using a large amount of BP I'd put a lot on my forehead and it would all run into my eyebrows, there's little lighter now, lol, but I can use the excuse "my hair goes fairer in the summer".

I think me and you get acne around the same areas, my forehead is clear(ish) but my cheeks and chin aren't. You're really inspiring me to keep carrying on, even when my skin looks horrible right now. Thank you

Wow - that really means a lot Glad I'm encouraging someone through this log!

It's nice to have this little regimen community of people who have just started the regimen and who have had the regimen work for them already - everyone can support and help eachother - which is something I love about these forums in general (not just the regimen sections).

I'll try and be more careful with the BP near my eyebrows then (not that I'd mind lighter brows haha) I've just been finding it strange that I haven't noticed bleaching yet with the amount of BP I'm using. But I guess that's a good thing too

BP has never bleached my hair, which is strange because I don't really bother avoiding my eyebrows or my hairline when I apply it, but it has made plenty of clothes turn orange-ish around the collars.

BP has never bleached my hair, which is strange because I don't really bother avoiding my eyebrows or my hairline when I apply it, but it has made plenty of clothes turn orange-ish around the collars.

I've had that happen to towels mainly... which is weird because I'm not getting the actual product on them - just 'residue' after washing my my face or hands...

And haven't seen any bleaching yet... I'm sure I'll see it soon enough (not that I want to, but I guess it's inevitable )

BP has never bleached my hair, which is strange because I don't really bother avoiding my eyebrows or my hairline when I apply it, but it has made plenty of clothes turn orange-ish around the collars.

I've had that happen to towels mainly... which is weird because I'm not getting the actual product on them - just 'residue' after washing my my face or hands...

And haven't seen any bleaching yet... I'm sure I'll see it soon enough (not that I want to, but I guess it's inevitable )

Day 18

Seems like the redness is calming down. Hopefully for good this time because I'm at a full fingers length of BP at night now and nearly that much in the morning. Judging by Dan's pics of BP dosage for the tube he sells, 1 fingers length of BP is the full amount - so I won't be increasing my BP past that unless I'm not seeing any results.

Dryness is getting worse all over now though... It had been mainly around my chin and mouth but I've noticed some flaking between my eyebrows and on my cheeks this morning. Time for even more jojoba I guess

Day 18 - Evening update

Man, I was horrible to my skin today! The dryness has been driving my crazy! I really can't stand dry skin, mainly the flakiness, so I exfoliated with baking soda. I do not recommend this at all for someone on the regimen!! Really hurt my skin - it's just too sensitive from BP to handle something as harsh as baking soda. It did help a little with the flakes but I don't think it's worth it. Applying BP stung a bit after too. I'm waiting for that to dry / absorb now so I'm guessing my skin will be burning once I apply moisturiser. I guess the dryness is something I'll just have to get used to for now... :/

It seems I did jinx myself by the way - about not breaking out / my left side being clear - because I've got a new spot on my left cheek under my eye. It's small-ish but the area around it is quite red. I can also feel some spots on my right jaw under the skin. I think they're from me patch testing a moisturiser/sunscreen there yesterday - but they feel quite deep so I'm not sure if they could have been caused by something topical.

But I'm trying to stay positive with it all. Hope you're all hanging in there too

Day 20

Does the dryness and flakiness really subside or go away? I haven't seen much change in it and it's driving me crazy! At least I'm not experiencing that insane burning feeling now and Mum told me me skin isn't that red now either. She also said my skin is looking smoother - which is nice to hear.

I can't help but still feel apprehensive about BP though... It's a lot of BP, twice a day, everyday... I don't know why though. As far as I know, there isn't any evidence that BP causes premature aging etc but I'm still worried about that. I guess I'll keep going with it for now and see how/if it helps my skin more but, if I get clear, I don't know how much longer after that I'll want to keep using BP. Even though I know you have to to maintain clear skin. If the texture of my skin improves (isn't rough / dry / flaky feeling like it is now) and I actually stop breaking out, then I guess it would be easier to justify staying on the regimen / using BP.

Anyway...

I've been using the full amount (thick fingers length of BP) twice a day now for the past few days. I used a thinner finger length of BP this morning though because I need to find a way for this dryness to reduce! I'm still breaking out like normal... I'd say it's a bit less often but I'm still breaking out. I've got two painful cyst-like spots on my right jaw (where I tested that Biore sunscreen/moisturiser - but I don't know if that's what caused them... I'll avoid that product just in case). They're annoying but it's better than having them on my cheek or chin / somewhere more visible.

Yesterday I put makeup on for a bit while I went out to get a few things for uni. It didn't look that great unfortunately... my skin around my nose was just too dry so the makeup looked a bit flaky there and it was a bit like that near my mouth and chin too. It's so frustrating. I wish I had the confidence to go out without any makeup but I just don't. My skin is a mess. So I'm not looking forward to tomorrow morning when I start back at uni and have to see people I haven't seen in a month... My friends are great though and have never said anything about my skin - so hopefully it will be ok with them. I just hope no one else says anything. I also have to try and meet new people and new friends as majority of the courses I'm taking this semester, my friends I've met through uni aren't taking. And first impressions count in that sort of thing don't they? I wonder what sort of first impression I'll make with my skin being how it is... I guess I'll just have to dress nice and try and be more positive and confident than I'm feeling today... That should help.

(Also, sorry for always having such long, rambling posts. I guess I just need to get thoughts out here).

Day 20

Does the dryness and flakiness really subside or go away? I haven't seen much change in it and it's driving me crazy! At least I'm not experiencing that insane burning feeling now and Mum told me me skin isn't that red now either. She also said my skin is looking smoother - which is nice to hear.

I can't help but still feel apprehensive about BP though... It's a lot of BP, twice a day, everyday... I don't know why though. As far as I know, there isn't any evidence that BP causes premature aging etc but I'm still worried about that. I guess I'll keep going with it for now and see how/if it helps my skin more but, if I get clear, I don't know how much longer after that I'll want to keep using BP. Even though I know you have to to maintain clear skin. If the texture of my skin improves (isn't rough / dry / flaky feeling like it is now) and I actually stop breaking out, then I guess it would be easier to justify staying on the regimen / using BP.

Anyway...

I've been using the full amount (thick fingers length of BP) twice a day now for the past few days. I used a thinner finger length of BP this morning though because I need to find a way for this dryness to reduce! I'm still breaking out like normal... I'd say it's a bit less often but I'm still breaking out. I've got two painful cyst-like spots on my right jaw (where I tested that Biore sunscreen/moisturiser - but I don't know if that's what caused them... I'll avoid that product just in case). They're annoying but it's better than having them on my cheek or chin / somewhere more visible.

Yesterday I put makeup on for a bit while I went out to get a few things for uni. It didn't look that great unfortunately... my skin around my nose was just too dry so the makeup looked a bit flaky there and it was a bit like that near my mouth and chin too. It's so frustrating. I wish I had the confidence to go out without any makeup but I just don't. My skin is a mess. So I'm not looking forward to tomorrow morning when I start back at uni and have to see people I haven't seen in a month... My friends are great though and have never said anything about my skin - so hopefully it will be ok with them. I just hope no one else says anything. I also have to try and meet new people and new friends as majority of the courses I'm taking this semester, my friends I've met through uni aren't taking. And first impressions count in that sort of thing don't they? I wonder what sort of first impression I'll make with my skin being how it is... I guess I'll just have to dress nice and try and be more positive and confident than I'm feeling today... That should help.

(Also, sorry for always having such long, rambling posts. I guess I just need to get thoughts out here).

I've read that some people never really got over the dryness and flakiness, but hopefully you're not one of them! It's good to know that you got over the burning and that the redness is minimizing. I think in terms of BP side effects, flakiness is the one I hate the most. I mean, having acne is one thing... but having flaky skin tends to raise more eyebrows, plus it makes makeup a real problem. Redness can be covered up, dryness can be moisturized, burning... well the world doesn't see that unless you're screaming in pain... but flakes are kinda there unless you find a way to get rid of them.

About the long posts... my posts have been pretty long too, and I doubt anyone actually reads them XD ... but I'm hoping someday I can look back on my log and reminisce on the fun times I had with BP... NOT!

Day 20

Does the dryness and flakiness really subside or go away? I haven't seen much change in it and it's driving me crazy! At least I'm not experiencing that insane burning feeling now and Mum told me me skin isn't that red now either. She also said my skin is looking smoother - which is nice to hear.

I can't help but still feel apprehensive about BP though... It's a lot of BP, twice a day, everyday... I don't know why though. As far as I know, there isn't any evidence that BP causes premature aging etc but I'm still worried about that. I guess I'll keep going with it for now and see how/if it helps my skin more but, if I get clear, I don't know how much longer after that I'll want to keep using BP. Even though I know you have to to maintain clear skin. If the texture of my skin improves (isn't rough / dry / flaky feeling like it is now) and I actually stop breaking out, then I guess it would be easier to justify staying on the regimen / using BP.

Anyway...

I've been using the full amount (thick fingers length of BP) twice a day now for the past few days. I used a thinner finger length of BP this morning though because I need to find a way for this dryness to reduce! I'm still breaking out like normal... I'd say it's a bit less often but I'm still breaking out. I've got two painful cyst-like spots on my right jaw (where I tested that Biore sunscreen/moisturiser - but I don't know if that's what caused them... I'll avoid that product just in case). They're annoying but it's better than having them on my cheek or chin / somewhere more visible.

Yesterday I put makeup on for a bit while I went out to get a few things for uni. It didn't look that great unfortunately... my skin around my nose was just too dry so the makeup looked a bit flaky there and it was a bit like that near my mouth and chin too. It's so frustrating. I wish I had the confidence to go out without any makeup but I just don't. My skin is a mess. So I'm not looking forward to tomorrow morning when I start back at uni and have to see people I haven't seen in a month... My friends are great though and have never said anything about my skin - so hopefully it will be ok with them. I just hope no one else says anything. I also have to try and meet new people and new friends as majority of the courses I'm taking this semester, my friends I've met through uni aren't taking. And first impressions count in that sort of thing don't they? I wonder what sort of first impression I'll make with my skin being how it is... I guess I'll just have to dress nice and try and be more positive and confident than I'm feeling today... That should help.

(Also, sorry for always having such long, rambling posts. I guess I just need to get thoughts out here).

I've read that some people never really got over the dryness and flakiness, but hopefully you're not one of them! It's good to know that you got over the burning and that the redness is minimizing. I think in terms of BP side effects, flakiness is the one I hate the most. I mean, having acne is one thing... but having flaky skin tends to raise more eyebrows, plus it makes makeup a real problem. Redness can be covered up, dryness can be moisturized, burning... well the world doesn't see that unless you're screaming in pain... but flakes are kinda there unless you find a way to get rid of them.

About the long posts... my posts have been pretty long too, and I doubt anyone actually reads them XD ... but I'm hoping someday I can look back on my log and reminisce on the fun times I had with BP... NOT!

AHHH!! I don't think I could continue the regimen if I never got over the flakiness! Hopefully it gets better soon or I find a way to manage it. And I agree with flakes being the worst side effect.

And yeah I don't expect people to read these posts - it's mainly that so I can track my progress (the point of a log anyway) - just thought I'd apologise for boring people in the occasions they do read

Day 21

First day back at uni. It's actually good to be back. Even though I get incredibly busy and stressed around assessment and exam time, I do really love uni.

But it wasn't a good day for the regimen... I only applied a tiny amount of BP this morning because I was too worried that makeup wouldn't work over it and it would cause more dryness during the day. I basically only spot treated... I know I should have used the full amount but I didn't have time to experiment with getting makeup to work this morning.

I used the neutrogena moisturiser but with a little cetaphil as well today and it actually worked really well. I didn't have flaking during the day and I like that it meant I had at least some sun protection.

I've done the regimen properly tonight - full amount of BP. I don't know what I'll do tomorrow... I know I should use the full amount every morning but I've got my first day of placement / work experience at an organisation and I don't want to look like a mess with horrible makeup or no makeup... and I don't think I can get makeup to work over BP. It's either because of the texture of the product itself or because it makes my skin dry (or both) but it's hard to put makeup on over. It could be the cetaphil as well... I won't have much time in the morning to play around and see what works so I might just have to use a tiny amount again - I'll try and use a bit more though - probably not the full amount...

I know I'm not technically following the regimen when I do this but I'm hoping it'll just be today and tomorrow and I'll find a way for the full amount to work for the rest of the week.

You can definitely use make-up with the regimen, but it would be uncomfortable to use a lot. In the early stages of the regimen I used a tinted sunblock to at least even out my skin a bit. But after a while, the burning feeling of applying into your skin was more uncomfortable that I decided to ditch the whole make-up thing for a while.

I'd say stick to powders and light foundations/bb creams. And if flaking is an issue, bring a small bottle of your moisturizer around to touch up dry patches.

You can definitely use make-up with the regimen, but it would be uncomfortable to use a lot. In the early stages of the regimen I used a tinted sunblock to at least even out my skin a bit. But after a while, the burning feeling of applying into your skin was more uncomfortable that I decided to ditch the whole make-up thing for a while.

I'd say stick to powders and light foundations/bb creams. And if flaking is an issue, bring a small bottle of your moisturizer around to touch up dry patches.

Thanks for the tips

I usually use a light/sheer liquid foundation but sometimes add in some revlon colourstay for a bit more coverage. I have a tinted suncream that I like (it hasn't broken me out before and its SPF 30) but it's a mattifying one so probably wouldn't be nice to wear over dry skin. Also, the tint is invisible on my skin - so it doesn't help with redness at all or cover anything.

So you were able to wear makeup over Benzac? Also, did you ever have any issues with Benzac drying white / chalky on your skin?

And one last thing - why powder foundations? I haven't really used powder foundations before but I imagine it would make your skin feel drier and catch on dry skin or flakes?

You can definitely use make-up with the regimen, but it would be uncomfortable to use a lot. In the early stages of the regimen I used a tinted sunblock to at least even out my skin a bit. But after a while, the burning feeling of applying into your skin was more uncomfortable that I decided to ditch the whole make-up thing for a while.

I'd say stick to powders and light foundations/bb creams. And if flaking is an issue, bring a small bottle of your moisturizer around to touch up dry patches.

Thanks for the tips

I usually use a light/sheer liquid foundation but sometimes add in some revlon colourstay for a bit more coverage. I have a tinted suncream that I like (it hasn't broken me out before and its SPF 30) but it's a mattifying one so probably wouldn't be nice to wear over dry skin. Also, the tint is invisible on my skin - so it doesn't help with redness at all or cover anything.

So you were able to wear makeup over Benzac? Also, did you ever have any issues with Benzac drying white / chalky on your skin?

And one last thing - why powder foundations? I haven't really used powder foundations before but I imagine it would make your skin feel drier and catch on dry skin or flakes?

I did notice as sort of pale overcast after applying the benzac, but it did go away after I applied moisturizer. I also wore a tinted sunscreen/bb cream after the moisturizer for a while and then stopped because applying it just made my skin burn. That is why I switched to applying a pressed/loose powder with a brush. I found that when you didn't have to rub anything in your skin, the burn feeling wasnt there. I did avoid the places where my skin was flaking. Around the mouth and my nose.

Day 23

I think I'm at 4 weeks now (as of yesterday). Losing track of days now that uni is back in full swing! I feel like I have so much to do already... which I guess is true, being my last semester of this degree!!!

I haven't managed to do the regimen with the full amount of BP in the AM at all this week... I'm going to have to work on getting up even earlier to try it out - but that makes it hard to do 10 to 12 hours apart because I get home at different times each day depending on my schedule that day. So some days it would be closer together I think.

I'm pretty surprised that my skin has been doing ok still even though I haven't been applying much in the AM. I haven't really had any new breakouts which is great. But I know I have to use it twice a day if I want to be clear.

My skin was actually quite oily today, which is actually a strange relief from the flaky skin I had been having. I guess that's because I haven't been applying so much BP.

Day 23

I think I'm at 4 weeks now (as of yesterday). Losing track of days now that uni is back in full swing! I feel like I have so much to do already... which I guess is true, being my last semester of this degree!!!

I haven't managed to do the regimen with the full amount of BP in the AM at all this week... I'm going to have to work on getting up even earlier to try it out - but that makes it hard to do 10 to 12 hours apart because I get home at different times each day depending on my schedule that day. So some days it would be closer together I think.

I'm pretty surprised that my skin has been doing ok still even though I haven't been applying much in the AM. I haven't really had any new breakouts which is great. But I know I have to use it twice a day if I want to be clear.

My skin was actually quite oily today, which is actually a strange relief from the flaky skin I had been having. I guess that's because I haven't been applying so much BP.

Awesome to hear that your skin is doing good, Lily I'm sure uni is keeping you busy, wishing you smooth sailing from here!

Day 25

Today is Friday and it's the first time this week I've managed to apply the full regimen in the AM... haha I'm really going to have to work on that... I'm going to have to get up at 5.30am to do the full regimen though... Ugh - I am not a morning person

I'm considering doing the full regimen (AM and PM) only a couple days a week though, and just doing it in the PM on the other days, because I've been surprised by how well my skin has coped. I still have acne but I haven't had any new crazy breakouts (just a few small whiteheads that I can cope with) and the dryness and flakiness has nearly completely gone. Having the flakes pretty much gone is making everything much easier for me to deal with, and the fact that my cheeks are fairly clear also really helps. I find that when my cheeks are clear I can cope with the rest of my acne much better because I know that when I'm directly facing someone or talking to them face to face, the skin around where they're looking (eyes) is relatively clear.

I do still have breakouts that are healing on my chin and jaw and one of the whiteheads that appeared is on the bridge of my nose - so that's annoying and I'm sure people notice that - but it's fairly small. And my skin doesn't really look clear because I have all those pigmentation marks but I'm happy that there is less acne and less bumps on my skin.

I haven't really experienced any burning for a while now. I guess it's because my skin has adjusted but it could also be because I changed how I apply moisturiser. I take a few drops of jojoba oil on my fingers, rub them together and then pat that all over my face gently (I let it sit for a few minutes then apply cetaphil and a few drops of jojoba like normal). I started doing this because it gets rid of the white / chalky finish that the Benzac BP has sometimes when it dries, and also because I feel like it helps when I apply cetaphil because it feels like I'm not moving the BP around so much under the moisturiser. Maybe it's helped with the burning too - created a barrier of some sort? I don't know but I'll keep applying moisturiser like this anyway.

Even though it's been a bad week in terms of me following the regimen, it's been a good week for me in how I'm coping with my acne. I think being back at uni occupies a lot of my time and mind and so I don't have the time to focus on my skin and acne like I normally would. I'm still on this site a lot but not as much as I was when I had a heap of free time on uni break and that also means I'm not researching and googling different skin or acne related things. So that all helps too - the less I focus on acne and my skin, the better I feel and the better I can cope with it all.

Day 25

I've been doing the regimen properly AM and PM for the last few days again. Surprisingly, my skin hasn't been feeling dry or flaky. I actually nearly forgot to moisturise tonight because my skin feels normal (even after BP) - not dry or flaky and not oily, but really normal! Which is weird and I'm sure it wont last, but it's strange. I moisturised anyway once I realised I hadn't already done that tonight (it was hours after I'd applied BP before I noticed).

Still dealing with random whiteheads that are coming up. Mainly on my chin and upper lip / around mouth... I'm wondering if the ones close to my lip are being caused by a lip balm... I've recently started using a lot of different ones because I've had quite dry lips (I'm assuming it's because of it being winter - not sure) so not sure if that's the cause or which one it could be... I'll have to keep track of that.

I can also feel some deeper spots starting to come up right on the edges of my face (both left and right sides - sort of in line with ears). They're still under the skin at the moment though. Hopefully they dont' end up being massive and they heal and disappear quickly.

Day 28

About to head out to uni. Not feeling that good because my face looks a mess today. I used nearly the full amount of BP this morning and it just doesn't work under makeup. Maybe I didn't use enough moisturiser or maybe it's because of the sunscreen I used... but either way I'm feeling ugly and gross today and am sure I look that way too. Ughh at least I'm not at uni too long today...

Edit - Glad to be home now... just one of those days where I wanted to hide... But I guess it's good that I did end up going out and being around people instead of staying alone at home. That would have made me feel worse and I would have focused on my skin a lot more. At least at uni I was distracted from my skin most of the time.... We did have to do some group work and the layout of the room meant we were sitting close together - so people were fairly close to me and would have seen the state of my skin for sure. I also couldn't help but notice how nice and clear other peoples skin was on the bus ride home. I really hope I can have skin close to that one day soon.

Going to try and forget about my skin for the rest of today though. And stay away from mirrors after I've done the regimen for the night. I'll just get in to the research and uni stuff I should be doing and stay distracted from my skin that way

Day 31 (I think?)

So looks like I've made it through the first month of the regimen! I have definitely seen improvements in my skin, which is SO great, but I still have a fair way to go.

Yesterday was a bit embarrassing in terms of my skin though. My skin felt fine during the day, but when I got home and looked in the mirror, I had flakes on my chin and near my mouth. So at some point during 8.30am when I got to uni and 6pm when I left, the flakes appeared. I hope it was closer to the end of the day and that no one noticed...(well - people probably noticed but I'm thankful no one said anything... that would have been more embarrassing).

Today was better though No flakes appeared during the day. My skin actually got quite oily which was annoying but I'm more used to that (didn't use BP this morning so I guess that's why). I also don't have any big actives right now! I think I am breaking out less now too. And the breakouts I do get are either smaller than what's 'normal' for me or heal a bit faster. I guess I am left with red marks, but that's normal for me anyway, unfortunately.

I've been meeting more / 'new' people at uni this semester too which is great. Even if it's just small talk (which is nearly always awkward anyway) in classes and we're not great friends it's still something I'm happy about because I feel like each 'stranger' I talk to in class or new person I meet, is good for me improving my confidence - especially if I'm the one to approach the person or start the conversation. And I think it's because I can see my skin is getting better that's allowing me to do this. (Even if other people who've never seen me before still think to themselves that my skin is bad - at least I know I've made progress!)

I think either this weekend or next weekend I'll add in the AHA/BHA product I have and see what happens.

Hope you're all doing well

Day 33

I just posted this first bit in the 'How ya feelin' thread but realised it should probably go here seeing as it relates to me using the regimen (so, sorry if people come across the post twice).

Felt great waking up this morning to only two active spots on my entire face! The rest of my face still has pigmentation but my skin is smooth apart from two relatively small spots! This is pretty much unheard of for me. I've never been so close to clear unless I took antibiotics for my skin. I'm only a little over a month on the regimen so I'm braced for breakouts to keep happening for a while longer, but I'm feeling great right now

I'm still using the full amount of BP at night every night but I'm only using the full amount of BP on some mornings - just Friday, Saturday and Sunday actually. That's just because if I use the full amount in the AM, I have to use a lot of moisturiser and that's what makes makeup difficult. And on most days of the week I feel like I'm not presentable without having tried to hide some redness or pigmentation so that's what I'm doing - just a little BP or BP just to actives so I can use a little makeup and feel presentable. On days where I have to where a collard shirt - for uni placement - I'm worried about having BP bleach my collar so I go without BP on those days. I know that if I keep breaking out I can go back to applying the full amount twice a day everyday but for now this seems to be working well for me and also reducing the dryness.

I'm hoping things continue going well.

And I hope you're all seeing improvements (or continuing to see/have improvements) in your skin